Well, I wasn't willing to take no for an answer. So, I asked the receptionist if either of these people had private practices. Brad Saks, the psychologist, did. So, I made the appointments through the Wellness Institute and left. When I reached my car, I called information to get Brad's private practice number and got an appointment with him for the following week.

When I met Brad for the first time, I wasn't sure if he was going to be able to help me. I wanted someone who wouldn't "force" me into surgery and who also knew his stuff. The first thing I said to him is that I didn't want to have weight loss surgery. He, like Kushner, agreed to help me out without pursuing the surgical option. And so we began. Talking about food issues, why I ate, what food meant to me and how to change those deep seeded, long time beliefs.

We met for the first time in April of 2004 and by the end of June, 2004, my weight hadn't moved an inch. In fact, I had gained 10 lbs. However, I was able to tell you why I ate and what food meant to me. I also was able to hold out using food to soothe me for longer than I ever had before.

For example, let's say something stressful happened in my life (remember, I am a full-time working mother of 2 young children, when aren't stressful things happening). Instead of going right for the chocolate, I was able to hold off for 1 hour. Then for 2 hours. While this might seem insignificant to most (you ate the chocolate, right?), people who overeat know that this accomplishment was HUGE!

Brad gets it. He gets overeating. He gets food issues, problems, addictions -- whichever word you choose to use, Brad gets it. I had never worked with someone before who specialized in food issues. It was eye-opening, and really refreshing.

So, I came in for a session at the end of June and sat down with a nervous look. I said to Brad: I think I need to have surgery. I was scared about making this decision. We talked for the entire session that day about surgery, and for many of the sessions after that.

I had to come to the decision on my own to have the surgery and he reminded me of that. But he was extremely optomistic about my decision and excited for me, as he knew all of the changes that would be in store for me would be fantastic. But I couldn't see that yet.

The first step in getting surgery was to be re-evaluated by Kushner. And then I had to meet with a dietician. Remember, I had that appointment with the dietician right after my first visit to the Wellness Institute? Well, I never saw her. I cancelled it thinking I didn't need her -- I could do it on my own.

I was wrong.

Brad did caution me that June afternoon. He said that it was a long process to get to the actual surgery date. Insurance can take 6-8 months to approve the surgery. He rarely saw someone have the surgery in under 6 months. When I discussed this with my husband, we felt that surgery at the end of the year was a realistic expectation.

But remember, when I put my mind to something, I am relentless. And once I made the decision to have the surgery, I put my mind to getting that surgery. Want to know when I had the surgery? Tune in next time!!